Wild Kin WanderingWild Kin Wandering
Permits – Timelines – Details – Locations
And, of course, how to handle diapering on the trail!
My love of new places and experience with planning my own elopement has helped me to see the uniqueness of each couple’s relationship and to craft elopements that celebrate that. No two stories are the same, nor can they be told the same way. The mountains have my heart, the desert has my soul, and photography tells my story. Let me tell yours.
I grew up in central Pennsylvania where I first cultivated my love of hot pretzels, beer cheese, cozy pubs, and hiking trails that look like they came right out of the pages of a storybook. Grad school took me to New Orleans and, more importantly, King Cake. And a move to the West Coast introduced me to the new loves of my life: Beecher’s Mac and Cheese and photography. Yep, I’m pretty food oriented.
Since living in Louisiana, my family has “settled” in lots of places and has lived in all four corners of the United States. We’re currently calling Whidbey Island in Washington State home, and my not-so-secret dream is to build a cob home here and homestead. Mostly, I just want my children to grow up with a sense of wonder, wander, and a strong passion for protecting this planet.
As an elopement photographer and someone planning her own elopement (and wanting to share it with her 2-year-old), I realized that none of the photographers out there seemed to photograph couples eloping with their kids. If they did, they certainly didn’t show it! Seriously, none.
And not only that, there were zero resources out there for someone who wanted to have an adventurous elopement with their little people along. I was in your shoes. I needed a set of field notes, a guide, and someone to say “let me show you how.”
You can be wild with your kin and have a sense of wanderlust as well. Consider me that guide for you, and this website and it’s resources your set of Field Notes, your Map, and your Encouragement along the way.
I believe eloping is the best way to get married. Elopements allow intention and authenticity to fit naturally into what might otherwise be a busy, or distracted, wedding day.
I believe sharing an elopement experience with your loved ones can be one of the most gratifying ways to bind your family together.
Eloping with kids is possible, and I encourage it! The world needs parents who will teach their children to adventure! Parents who take their kids into the wilderness, and demonstrate a love for each other and for the planet.
When you choose to elope on your wedding day, you’re setting an example for your children. You’re showing them adventures are still out there, and experiences matter more than things.
As much of an eye-roll as that sounds, I’ve learned from experience that a word of encouragement can go a long way toward turning a dream into a plan.
Whatever your dream wedding is, we can make it happen!
Your hesitation – I get it. There are plenty of reasons to follow tradition and plan a small traditional wedding ceremony. But, I’d argue there are even more reasons to plan an adventure elopement!
When we elope in front of our kids and choose adventure over tradition, we are showing them what really matters to us; that experiences are more important than things, and that life is worth living fully. Time is fleeting. And adventure can’t wait. It all goes by way.too.fast.
I’ll admit, choosing to elope isn’t easy. But, neither is parenting! We all make sacrifices for our kids. We do what is best for them, whenever we can. I firmly believe that if you want to set the example that experiences matter more than things – an elopement is one of the best ways to get that message across. Instead of plans centered on purchases for a bigger event, you’ll be discussing beautiful locations. Instead of spending the day distracted by vendors, guests, and distant relatives, you’ll be sharing a sacred moment with the people who love you the most.
There’s really nothing more extraordinary than experiencing wild places once again, but this time through the eyes of a child. They have this innate ability to focus on the details and be truly present in a moment. They center us. Experiencing an elopement alongside them is wholesome and pure – the opposite of so many distracted traditional wedding experiences I have witnessed. In the wilderness everything slows down and what really matters comes into focus. Your love. Your people.
The “traditional” mold never quite felt right to me. I’ve always done things a little out of order - like raising kids before getting married. Why should I try and fit a box that isn’t the right shape for me?
When I discovered elopements, that changed! Suddenly, here was an option incorporating my love of family, the outdoors, and adventure! It feels right!
I’m different from other elopement photographers because I put family first.
I know how much it means to share this commitment with your kids – and I believe you deserve to include them in your adventure!
When it comes to being the expert on family elopements, I’ve learned a few things from my experiences:
I studied kids a long time for a little piece of paper
Job description - to play with kids outside all day
And two of them are teens, which requires a whole different skill set
How many times have you heard married friends say, “if I could do the wedding over again I would…” Elope? Have a smaller wedding?
Or how many weddings have you attended where the couple seemed obviously stressed?
Too many couples regret their choice to have a large wedding. Traditional weddings can become too performative, too stressful, and too much about everyone except the couple. This is a one-time experience, do it YOUR way.
This is why I encourage couples to elope – because I truly believe it is the best way to have an authentic and stress-free wedding experience.
